Prabhas on Salaar: ‘In my 21 years in the industry, I’ve never felt this level of connection with a director’

Prabhas' Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire releases in theatre on December 22.

Since the SS Rajamouli-directed blockbuster epic fantasy saga Baahubali franchise (The Beginning, 2015 and The Conclusion, 2017), the Telugu film industry superstar Prabhas, short for  Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju, has earned the status of a pan-India star, gained international recognition and become a household name. The two films established the actor's versatility and dedication to his craft. He has portrayed a wide range of characters, from action-packed roles to romantic leads. Charismatic, compelling, with a magnetic screen presence, easy ability to connect with audiences, humble and down to Earth, Prabhas'  widespread appeal reflects in his massive fan following, not only among Telugu speakers but in the rest of India, too.

As its much-awaited Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire releases in theatres on Friday, Hombale Films, the producer of the Prashanth Neel (of the KGF franchise) directorial, has released a conversation on their YouTube channel, in which Rajamouli interviews director Neel with his cast Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the Malayalam superstar who makes his Telugu film debut with Salaar. As Prithviraj says, the grandness, multiple characters and complex plots of Salaar reminded him of Game of Thrones. The film is set in a fictional city of Khansaar, a violent world, where a gang leader must keep his promise to a dying friend by taking on other criminal gangs. At the heart of the drama is friendship. The first part of the Salaar franchise also stars Shruti Haasan and Meenakshi Chaudhary.

Salaar will most likely undo the dent Adipurush made on Prabhas' image. Ahead of Salaar's release, Prabhas spoke with a handful of journalists about the character he plays, working with director Neel and more. Edited excerpts from a quick interview:

Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire has been generating a lot of anticipation ever since it was first announced. Can you share some insights into the film?

Absolutely, Salaar is an intense action entertainer that explores deep emotions between the characters. It's a departure from what the audience has seen me portray on screen before. The film delves into a unique premise, and the camaraderie between the characters is something the audience hasn't witnessed from me earlier.

What kind of workshops and preparations you did to get into the skin of your character in Salaar?

Prashanth and I collaborated closely on this. We discussed ideas, body language, and character nuances. We had informal sessions where we relaxed, had fun, and talked, essentially workshopping the character. It was a collaborative effort that made the process enjoyable and productive.

And what kind of physical transformation did you underwent for your character?

Prashanth wanted me to build muscles for the character, so there was a focus on physical preparation. However, it wasn't a drastic transformation for me. I adapted to the requirements, and it was a part of the process that I've been accustomed to over my 21 years in the industry.

You've mentioned your close bond with director Prashanth Neel. Can you share more about your working experience with him?

Working with Prashanth Neel has been a unique experience. In my 21 years in the industry, I've never felt this level of connection with a director. More than the shoot itself, I looked forward to spending time with Prashanth. We became very close within a month of working together.

Could you shed some light on the time you spent with him on the sets of Salaar?

Prashanth is an efficient director, and he respects everyone's time. Once we were on set, everything moved swiftly. There was no waiting around, and the focus was solely on our shots. The level of dedication from the entire team ensured a seamless shooting experience.

The film has been granted an 'A' certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification. Can you tell us about the scale and intensity of Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire?

Salaar is an action-packed film that explores the brotherly bond between two characters. The 'A' certificate is indicative of the movie's intense combat scenes, violence, and battles. The film's duration is 2 hours and 55 minutes, and it promises a gripping cinematic experience.